What Do Dark Web Monitoring Services Do, and Should You Get One?

Listen To This Story

What Do Dark Web Monitoring Services Do, and Should You Get One? (Maria)

The author writes, “Data breaches have become a fact of our digital world. Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report recorded over 12,000 breaches in that year alone. That’s nearly three dozen a day. … There is, however, one last line of defense: a dark web monitoring service. Here’s what they are, how they work, and which ones we prefer.”

Afghan Who Fought With US Special Forces Dies in ICE Custody as Trump on Track for Deadliest Year of Detention in More Than Two Decades (DonkeyHotey)

From The Independent: “An Afghan man who fought with U.S. forces and was legally evacuated to the U.S. after the fall of Kabul died this week within a day of being arrested by federal immigration officers in Texas, according to his family. The reported death would be at least the 24th in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody this fiscal year, which began in October. The administration is on track for the deadliest year in ICE detention in more than two decades. Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, 41, was preparing to drive his kids to school in the Dallas area on Friday when agents in unmarked vehicles allegedly surrounded him and arrested him in front of his children. Later that day, the former Afghan special forces soldier contacted family members from ICE custody to say he wasn’t feeling well, they said. … Around noon the following day, family members said they were informed he had died.”

Two Weeks Into War With Iran, Trump Has Been Knocked Back on His Political Heels (Reader Steve)

From the AP: “In the two weeks since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, President Donald Trump increasingly has been knocked on his political heels. He’s grown more agitated with news coverage and has failed to find a way to explain why he started the war — or how he will end it — that resonates with a public concerned by American deaths in the conflict, surging oil prices and dropping financial markets. Even some of his supporters are questioning his plan and his overall poll numbers are declining. Meanwhile, Moscow is getting a boost from the war’s early days after Trump eased sanctions on some Russian oil shipments. That, combined with rising oil prices, undercut the yearslong push to crimp President Vladimir Putin’s ability to wage war in Ukraine.”

Connecticut Officer Having ‘Mild Anxiety Attack’ Took Ambulance Sent for Man Dying From Police Shooting, Investigation Finds (Laura)

The author writes, “A man who was shot by police and later died had to wait 10 extra minutes for an ambulance after an officer having a ‘mild anxiety attack’ took the first one that arrived at the scene, according to a newly released state investigation. Dyshan Best, 39, was shot in the back last year as he fled from officers in Bridgeport, Connecticut. A report released Tuesday by the state’s inspector general found that the shooting was justified because Best had a gun in his hand and the officer pursuing him had reasons to fear for his own safety. But the report raised questions about what took place after the March 31 shooting, which left Best, who was Black, bleeding with severe internal injuries.”

Push for GOP Voting Law Has Many Switching Sides on Filibuster Issue (Russ)

From The Washington Post: “Senate Republicans have found themselves in a spot nearly identical to the one Democrats were in four years ago. Their domestic policy agenda has been slow to take root, leaving voters disgruntled about an uneven economy. The president is focused on foreign affairs, with voters telling pollsters he is not focused on their concerns. And the midterm elections are bearing down on the GOP with a chance to lose control of their congressional majorities. So, what’s the way out of this particular political jam? For many Senate Democrats then and Republicans now, the answer was to do away with the filibuster, or at least weaken it.”

Scientists Warn Fake Research Is Spreading Faster Than Real Science (Mili)

The author writes, “A sweeping new study from Northwestern University reveals that scientific fraud is no longer just the work of a few rogue researchers — it has evolved into a global, organized enterprise. By analyzing massive datasets of publications, retractions, and editorial records, researchers uncovered networks involving ‘paper mills,’ brokers, and compromised journals that systematically produce and sell fake research, authorship slots, and citations.”

28 Powerful Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Honorees (Dana)

From Popular Science: “In the Congo Basin, two groups of wild western lowland gorillas encounter photographer Hugo Hebbe. One group is familiar with humans, reacting with indifference to the attention. The other remains cautious, scamping off when humans approach. The images captured during the encounter document ‘an evolving story of fear, patience and trust,’ the photographer explains. The images, part of a series called ‘Guardians of the Jungle,’ were honored at the 2026 Sony World Photography Awards, Professional division. The prestigious competition announced the finalists and shortlisted photographs this week. More than 430,000 images from over 200 countries and territories were submitted for review this year. The Sony World Photography Awards will announce the Photographer of the Year at a ceremony in London on April 16.”